A New York court has ordered Narendra Modi to answer allegations of “attempted genocide” over deadly anti-Muslim riots, reports said earlier today as he began his first US visit as India´s prime minister.
The complaint relates to an outbreak of anti-Muslim rioting in 2002 in the western Indian state of Gujarat, where Modi served as chief minister before he was elected prime minister in May.
Lawyers for rights group the American Justice Center filed a civil case on Thursday seeking damages from Modi for what they call “attempted genocide”, according to a copy of the petition obtained by The Hindu newspaper.
“It is clear that justice for the plaintiffs cannot be obtained in India because of the condoning of this genocidal act of state-sanctioned terrorism,” reads the petition, issued on behalf of victims of the riots. The Hindu said the court had issued a summons ordering him to respond to the charges within 21 days.
A copy of the one-page summons, named Modi as the defendant, describing him as “a national and citizen of India, Prime Minister and ex Chief Minister of Gujarat”.
“A lawsuit has been filed against you,” said the summons, which was signed by the clerk of the court. “Within 21 days after service of this summons on you… you must serve on the plaintiff an answer to the attached complaint.”If you fail to respond, judgment by default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint.”
